Modern vs. Classic Experience
The SharePoint platform offers two distinct user experiences: the Modern Experience and the Classic Experience. Each serves specific use cases and offers different features and interfaces.
Classic Experience
- Interface: The Classic Experience is characterized by its traditional SharePoint look and feel, similar to versions prior to SharePoint Online.
- Customization: Heavily customizable with SharePoint Designer, InfoPath, and custom solutions.
- Web Parts: Utilizes classic web parts, which may require more configuration and are not as responsive.
- Performance: Generally slower due to reliance on older frameworks and technologies.
- Features: Supports some of the older workflows, lists, and library features that may not be available or optimized in the Modern Experience.
Modern Experience
- Interface: The Modern Experience provides a clean, responsive, and user-friendly interface that is touch-friendly and optimized for various devices.
- Customization: Supports modern development practices with SharePoint Framework (SPFx), allowing for client-side web parts and extensions.
- Web Parts: Introduces modern web parts that are more agile and easy to use with a drag-and-drop interface.
- Performance: Enhanced performance due to a faster, more efficient underlying framework.
- Features: Includes new features such as integration with Microsoft 365, better collaboration through Microsoft Teams, and modern lists and libraries with improved functionality.
Key Differences
- User Interface: Modern is more visually appealing and intuitive, while Classic feels dated.
- Development Approach: Modern favors the SPFx and JavaScript-based solutions, while Classic still relies on server-side technologies.
- Responsiveness: Modern is designed for a mobile-first approach, whereas Classic does not adapt as well to mobile environments.
- User Adoption: Modern Experience typically yields better user adoption due to its ease of use and familiarity with other Microsoft 365 products.
Understanding the differences between Modern and Classic Experience in SharePoint is crucial for organizations transitioning to SharePoint Online or upgrading their SharePoint environment. Choosing the right experience depends on the specific needs, existing infrastructure, and user preferences.
mindmap
Modern vs. Classic Experience
Modern Experience
User Interface
Responsive Design
Fluent UI Components
Features
Hub Sites
Communication Sites
Microsoft 365 Integration
User Experience
Simplified Navigation
Enhanced Collaboration
Classic Experience
User Interface
Traditional Layout
Custom Master Pages
Features
Lists and Libraries
Classic Web Parts
User Experience
Complex Navigation
Limited Personalization
Related:
External links:
- SharePoint classic and modern experiences - Microsoft Support — support.microsoft.com
- Learn more about modern experiences in SharePoint in Microsoft 365 including what they are and how you recognize them.
- Differences between modern and classic experiences for lists and libraries - Microsoft Support — support.microsoft.com
- Learn about the differences between the new document library experience and classic view.
- Classic SharePoint vs. Modern SharePoint | SharePoint Maven — sharepointmaven.com
- In this post, I compare Classic SharePoint and Modern SharePoint. I explain a bit of history and evolution from Classic to Modern Experience.
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